12 hours; 3 weeks Creative Process Textual Analysis Big Idea: You can only build something once you learn how to use your tools. Essential Understanding: Movies tell stories through light and sound.
Getting to know your camera and what you can do with it.
“How To…” One: How to use a camera. “How To…” Two: How to use audio recording devices. “How To…” Three: Video and audio uploads and the digital environment.
Homework, Oct 5th: Watch Episode 2 of "The Story of Film" and write a 1 page summary of the main points and the main people. Due tomorrow. (Refer to episode list and link in Unit 1.)
Challenge Unit 2 #1 (first week): Go out and get an example of each one of the pictures above.
Read the articles above (about 1 page each). Write a 3 page summary (900 words) about ISO, Aperture, and Shutter Speed. Each page should cover one topic. In your summary, explain the following:
What is it (ISO, Aperture, Shutter Speed)?
What is happening with the camera technically?
Why would you use it?
What effects does it create?
What are the different situations where you would adjust these settings?
How can changing these settings be used in film making?
Three things to upload to Managebac by Thursday, October 8th:
1. Your pictures (ISO, Aperture, Shutter Speed) 2. Your 3 page (900 word) summary of the articles about ISO, Aperture, Shutter Speed 3. Your paper that you did over the break about a Scorsese film.
3 pages-900 word minimum (title centered, name and date in header, 1.5 or double spaced, page number in lower right corner. Check for spelling and punctuation errors.)
Among other things, "Blade Runner" is a visually stunning movie. Try to watch the rerelease. It's been cleaned up and has more footage. The rerelease one is called "Blade Runner: Final Cut".
Ridley Scott, the director, has also had other visually stunning movies such as "Gladiator." However, "Blade Runner" presents us with a chance to not only analyze how the director used light and dark to tell a story, but it is also a seminal work that is one of the most influential science fiction movies of all time.
In this case study, however, we will stay with the theme of the unit and analyze the film from the cinematographer and director's point of view, thinking about lighting and framing especially.
Select at least 5 scenes from the movie, using the time codes, as examples. Aspects to consider:
Main Question: How does the director use light to tell the story?
What is in focus and what is not?
What is in the frame? Why? (Think about where the subject is. Is the director telling us where to look or is the frame open for us to scan?)
How does the director use long shots, medium shots, close ups, and extreme close ups? How is this making the audience feel?
Take your place behind the camera and explain why you think the cinematographer and director are choosing the shots, the lighting, the framing. Try to get inside their mind and explain what they were thinking.
Because of some "issues" I saw with the last paper, the due date for the Blade Runner: Case Study has been moved to Thursday, October 19th. With the date moved back, I expect you to go back through your paper and make sure it is a paper that is worth turning in. I will not accept papers that have been edited, do not have correct format, or contain plagiarized material. Those papers will get a Zero.
Textual analysis: Blade Runner IB guide explanation of assignment: Rationale It is essential that students are able to understand how meanings are constructed within and through film texts, and to view the production of these texts in a broader framework. Students should be able to identify how film uses a range of devices to represent experiences and stories, as well as to convey meanings and values. They should be able to acquire and use the appropriate tools for analysing films from various countries and place these within wider sociocultural perspectives. Students should develop both their own enjoyment of film and lifelong habits of critical inquiry. Content Students should move between close textual analysis of specific scenes and analysis of films as a whole, contextualizing meanings within a larger framework. Students should use the key concepts of film language, genre, audience, institution, narrative and representation to generate initial questions about the texts they are analysing. For this assignment, textual analysis involves commenting upon the following elements, and on relationships between them.
Camera angles, shots,
Lighting, shade, and color
Textual Analysis Paper An written presentation of a detailed critical analysis of a 5 continuous extracts from Blade Runner. The extracts must not be longer than 5 minutes. 900 words
Mark scheme for Blade Runner: Textual Analysis
Marks
Level descriptor
0
The work does not reach a standard described by the descriptors below. .
1–5
There is little or no evaluative interpretation of the extract, displaying a very limited understanding of how meaning is constructed through the use of film language, and a very limited awareness of the extract’s relationship to the film as a whole. There is little or no explanation for the selection of the extract. The critique shows little or no awareness of the film’s genre and/or its place in a broader sociocultural context. There is little or no analysis of the director’s intention. No reference is made to the responses to the film from audiences and reviewers, critics or scholars at the time of its original release and/or subsequently. This presentation is likely to be exclusively descriptive. .
6–10
There is a limited evaluative interpretation of the extract, displaying some understanding of how meaning is constructed through the use of film language, and a limited awareness of the extract’s relationship to the film as a whole. There is a limited explanation for the selection of the extract. The critique shows some awareness of the film’s genre and/or its place in a broader sociocultural context. There is a limited analysis of the director’s intention. Limited reference is made to the responses to the film from audiences and reviewers, critics or scholars at the time of its original release and/or subsequently. A substantial amount of the presentation may have detailed descriptions, but offers only limited analysis. .
11–15
There is a coherent evaluative interpretation of the extract, displaying an adequate understanding of how meaning is constructed through the use of film language, and a satisfactory awareness of the extract’s relationship to the film as a whole. There is an adequate explanation for the selection of the extract. The critique shows a satisfactory awareness of the film’s genre and/or its place in a broader sociocultural context. There is some analysis of the director’s intention. Some apt reference is made to the responses from audiences and reviewers, critics or scholars at the time of its original release and/or subsequently. There may be some descriptive elements but the presentation offers adequate analysis. .
16–20
There is a coherent and detailed evaluative interpretation of the extract, displaying a good understanding of how meaning is constructed through the use of film language, and a good awareness of the extract’s relationship to the film as a whole. There is a clear explanation for the selection of the extract. The critique shows a good awareness of the film’s genre and/or its place in a broader sociocultural context. There is a sound analysis of the director’s intention. Clear reference is made to the responses from audiences and reviewers, critics or scholars at the time of its original release and/or subsequently. There may be brief elements of description but analysis is thorough. .
21–25
There is a coherent, incisive and richly detailed evaluative interpretation of the extract, displaying an excellent understanding of how meaning is constructed through the use of film language, with an excellent awareness of the extract’s relationship to the film as a whole. There is a persuasive explanation for the selection of the extract. The critique shows an excellent awareness of the film’s genre and/ or its place in a broader sociocultural context. There is insightful analysis of the director’s intention, and examples of responses from audiences and reviewers, critics or scholars at the time of its original release and/or subsequently have been discussed. Simple description is negligible and analysis is clear and thorough.
TOK Corner Is there a right way and a wrong way to take a picture? What makes a good picture, a good shot? How much thought should be put into a picture or a shot? Are the answers different in photography compared to film?
Using critics and quotes to help you understand movies and write your papers
If you're having a hard time understanding a movie. Go on a critics website, not facebook, or drunken videos or something but a real film critic and use a quote from that person in your paper. This will give you a better understanding of the movie and it will also give you something to write about it you have no idea what to write about. Here's a famous critic talking about "Taxi Driver."
"The film can be seen as a series of his failed attempts to connect, every one of them hopelessly wrong. He asks a girl out on a date, and takes her to a porno movie. He sucks up to a political candidate, and ends by alarming him. He tries to make small talk with a Secret Service agent. He wants to befriend a child prostitute, but scares her away. He is so lonely that when he asks, "Who you talkin' to?" he is addressing himself in a mirror," Roger Ebert.
Now you can talk about what this critic (Roger Ebert) said. Whether you agree or disagree, elaborate, and give examples. **
BREAK for SWAN Script Deadline
The second part of this unit is devoted to getting to know how to use your audio equipment just like you got to know your camera equipment. However, with the deadline for the SWAN screenplays coming up, it is important that we work towards that deadline. So we will jump to unit 3 now and come back to the audio section of unit 2 when we are finished with our screenplays. ***
Audio: How do you record sound?
To record Audio you will need a DAW. Yamaha UR28M will record in stereo nicely.
Garageband is good software for recording and mixing.
Unit 2 Film and Video Fundamentals (Hands On)
12 hours; 3 weeks
Creative Process
Textual Analysis
Big Idea: You can only build something once you learn how to use your tools.
Essential Understanding: Movies tell stories through light and sound.
Getting to know your camera and what you can do with it.
“How To…” One: How to use a camera.
“How To…” Two: How to use audio recording devices.
“How To…” Three: Video and audio uploads and the digital environment.
Homework, Oct 5th: Watch Episode 2 of "The Story of Film" and write a 1 page summary of the main points and the main people. Due tomorrow. (Refer to episode list and link in Unit 1.)
Challenge Unit 2 #1 (first week): Go out and get an example of each one of the pictures above.
Reading on ISO:
https://photographylife.com/what-is-iso-in-photographyReading on Aperture:
https://photographylife.com/what-is-aperture-in-photographyReading on Shutter Speed:
https://photographylife.com/what-is-shutter-speed-in-photographyHomework due Thursday, October 8th:
Read the articles above (about 1 page each).Write a 3 page summary (900 words) about ISO, Aperture, and Shutter Speed. Each page should cover one topic. In your summary, explain the following:
Three things to upload to Managebac by Thursday, October 8th:
1. Your pictures (ISO, Aperture, Shutter Speed)2. Your 3 page (900 word) summary of the articles about ISO, Aperture, Shutter Speed
3. Your paper that you did over the break about a Scorsese film.
*Don't forget to write in your process journal!*
Telling stories through light:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-Q7cvTh_jU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QdvWcO62ABA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_9rhPDLHWk
Case Study: Blade Runner
Due Monday, October 19th3 pages-900 word minimum (title centered, name and date in header, 1.5 or double spaced, page number in lower right corner. Check for spelling and punctuation errors.)
Among other things, "Blade Runner" is a visually stunning movie. Try to watch the rerelease. It's been cleaned up and has more footage. The rerelease one is called "Blade Runner: Final Cut".
Ridley Scott, the director, has also had other visually stunning movies such as "Gladiator." However, "Blade Runner" presents us with a chance to not only analyze how the director used light and dark to tell a story, but it is also a seminal work that is one of the most influential science fiction movies of all time.
In this case study, however, we will stay with the theme of the unit and analyze the film from the cinematographer and director's point of view, thinking about lighting and framing especially.
Select at least 5 scenes from the movie, using the time codes, as examples.
Aspects to consider:
Because of some "issues" I saw with the last paper, the due date for the Blade Runner: Case Study has been moved to Thursday, October 19th. With the date moved back, I expect you to go back through your paper and make sure it is a paper that is worth turning in. I will not accept papers that have been edited, do not have correct format, or contain plagiarized material. Those papers will get a Zero.
Textual analysis: Blade Runner IB guide explanation of assignment:
Rationale
It is essential that students are able to understand how meanings are constructed within and through film texts, and to view the production of these texts in a broader framework. Students should be able to identify how film uses a range of devices to represent experiences and stories, as well as to convey meanings and values. They should be able to acquire and use the appropriate tools for analysing films from various countries and place these within wider sociocultural perspectives. Students should develop both their own enjoyment of film and lifelong habits of critical inquiry.
Content
Students should move between close textual analysis of specific scenes and analysis of films as a whole, contextualizing meanings within a larger framework.
Students should use the key concepts of film language, genre, audience, institution, narrative and representation to generate initial questions about the texts they are analysing.
For this assignment, textual analysis involves commenting upon the following elements, and on relationships between them.
Textual Analysis Paper
An written presentation of a detailed critical analysis of a 5 continuous extracts from Blade Runner. The extracts must not be longer than 5 minutes. 900 words
Mark scheme for Blade Runner: Textual Analysis
.
no awareness of the film’s genre and/or its place in a broader sociocultural context. There is little or no analysis of the director’s intention. No reference is made to the responses to the film from audiences and reviewers, critics or scholars at the time of its original release and/or subsequently. This presentation is likely to be exclusively descriptive.
.
is a limited explanation for the selection of the extract. The critique shows some awareness of the film’s genre and/or its place in a broader sociocultural context. There is a limited analysis of the director’s intention. Limited reference is made to the responses to the film from audiences and reviewers, critics or scholars at the time of its original release and/or subsequently. A substantial amount of the presentation may have detailed descriptions, but offers only limited analysis.
.
.
a good awareness of the film’s genre and/or its place in a broader sociocultural context. There is a sound analysis of the director’s intention. Clear reference is made to the responses from audiences and reviewers, critics or scholars at the time of its original release and/or subsequently. There may be brief elements of description but analysis is thorough.
.
or its place in a broader sociocultural context. There is insightful analysis of the director’s intention, and examples of responses from audiences and reviewers, critics or scholars at the time of its original release and/or subsequently have been discussed. Simple description is negligible and analysis is clear and thorough.
....
Costume Corner: Here's a good site to check out some stills regarding costume/fashion and you and see how the lighting works with the costumes:
http://www.enidandedgarvintage.com/2015/08/why-blade-runner.html
TOK Corner
Is there a right way and a wrong way to take a picture? What makes a good picture, a good shot? How much thought should be put into a picture or a shot? Are the answers different in photography compared to film?
Using critics and quotes to help you understand movies and write your papers
If you're having a hard time understanding a movie. Go on a critics website, not facebook, or drunken videos or something but a real film critic and use a quote from that person in your paper. This will give you a better understanding of the movie and it will also give you something to write about it you have no idea what to write about. Here's a famous critic talking about "Taxi Driver."
"The film can be seen as a series of his failed attempts to connect, every one of them hopelessly wrong. He asks a girl out on a date, and takes her to a porno movie. He sucks up to a political candidate, and ends by alarming him. He tries to make small talk with a Secret Service agent. He wants to befriend a child prostitute, but scares her away. He is so lonely that when he asks, "Who you talkin' to?" he is addressing himself in a mirror," Roger Ebert.
Now you can talk about what this critic (Roger Ebert) said. Whether you agree or disagree, elaborate, and give examples.
**
BREAK for SWAN Script Deadline
The second part of this unit is devoted to getting to know how to use your audio equipment just like you got to know your camera equipment.
However, with the deadline for the SWAN screenplays coming up, it is important that we work towards that deadline. So we will jump to unit 3 now and come back to the audio section of unit 2 when we are finished with our screenplays.
***
Audio: How do you record sound?
To record Audio you will need a DAW. Yamaha UR28M will record in stereo nicely.
Garageband is good software for recording and mixing.